Mayor Don Wesely today signed a public nudity ordinance and an ordinance that establishes
new zoning regulations for businesses which offer live sexually-oriented entertainment.
The ordinances, passed by the City Council September 26, take effect October 10.

"Regulating nudity and sexually-oriented businesses is an important quality of life issue
for neighborhoods," Mayor Wesely said. "We believe these ordinances will help Lincoln
avoid some of the problems other communities have seen."

The public nudity law makes it unlawful for any person in a public place or any place
open to the public to appear in a state of nudity. In general terms, nudity is the
showing of the human male or female genitals or the female breast with less an a fully
opaque covering. The ordinance does not apply to any arts or theatrical performances,
dressing rooms open to the public, mothers who are breast feeding and any person under
the age of 12.

The second ordinance addresses, for the first time, sexually-oriented businesses.
These are generally defined as any commercial establishment featuring live performance
characterized by an emphasis on the exposure of specific anatomical areas or simulation
of specified sexual activities.

The ordinance allows these businesses in the H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, I-1, I-2 and I-3 zoning
districts. The H districts are generally located mainly near the interstate highway,
and the I districts are used for light and heavy industrial uses. The ordinance will have
effect not only in the city, but also within three miles of the city under the City of
Lincoln Zoning Authority.

The ordinance requires that a special permit issued by the City Council be obtained. In
addition, separation requirements also exist under the ordinance and include a separation
of at least 1,500 feet between a sexually-oriented business and a residential use, church,
public elementary or high school, public park, hospital, public library, public museum,
recreation area, correctional facility and residential treatment facility.

The ordinance also prohibits sexually-oriented businesses located within 1,000 feet of
residential districts. The City Council may modify or waive the separation requirements
when it determines there is sufficient justification for such adjustment.

The ordinance does not modify uses within the B-4 zoning district, the downtown business
district. Sexually-oriented businesses will continue to be allowed by right in the B-4
zoning district as a permitted use without any separation or spacing requirements.